Related stories

Want to change the world? Think young people's voices should be heard in your community?

If you live near Bendigo in Central Victoria, there's an extra reason to enter the Heywire competition this year.

ABC Heywire and the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) are teaming up to bring you Change It Up, a pop-up event that will give you the tools to be heard in your community and make positive change.

If you live or work near Bendigo in Central Victoria (see below for a definition) and are aged 16-22 all you need to do to be involved in Change It Up is enter your story in the Heywire competition by 17 September, 2012.

The finalists will be selected to take part in a series of skill-building workshops and networking events covering the weekend of 12-14 October, 2012 in Bendigo.

FYA will introduce you to young change makers who are blazing a trail; and ABC producers will work with you on your story and give several participants the chance to take part in an ABC broadcast. There'll even be $1000 of seed funding awarded for the best idea to improve life for young central Victorians.

Change It Up is a bit like a condensed, regionally-based version of the Heywire Regional Youth Summit and has already shaken up Rockhampton, Qld and the Macedon Ranges, Vic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I in "Central Victoria"?

We're calling for entries from people who live or work in the towns predominately serviced by ABC Central Victoria, including Bendigo, Kerang, Kyneton, Castlemaine, Rochester and Echuca. To be sure you are in the region; enter your postcode on this page. And if you are directed to ABC Central Victoria, then you are eligible.

What should I put in my entry?

Entries can be audio, video, photo or text (400words) and should focus on an issue you are passionate about or an aspect of your life that is important to you. It might be the pivotal role sport plays in your community, the importance of speaking out about mental health issues or simply what changes you'd like to see in your town. You're encouraged to focus on your own personal experience of the issue. Check out last year's winning Heywire entries for inspiration.

Will I still have a chance to win the other Heywire prizes?

Yes, all entrants will be eligible to be winners of the 2012 Heywire competition, where 35 young people Australia-wide are chosen to have their stories featured on the ABC and win an all-expenses-paid trip to the Heywire Regional Youth Summit in Canberra.

Will I have to get myself to Bendigo if I am one of the Change It Up participants?

Yes, transport and accommodation will not be provided, but food will.

How do I enter?

The easiest, most convenient and most popular way is online via joining the Heywire community and publishing stories directly to our website: